Description
Book SynopsisTraces the evolution of the New Left movement through the Free Speech Movement, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and SDS's community organization projects. For Wini Breines, the movement's goal of participatory decision-making, even when it was not achieved, made up for its failure to take practical and direct action.
Trade ReviewA valuable perspective on student movements and politics. * Choice *
The book has three great strengths: its 'prefigurative politics' thesis, which is both brilliant and convincing; its clear, straightforward writing; and finally, its short text... Students will love it. -- Jon Wiener * University of California, Irvine *
Intellectually provocative and emotionally rewarding - a wise and hopeful gift from the '60s to the '80s. -- Howard Zinn * Boston University *
Table of ContentsAn Introduction to the New Left: A Critique of Some Critics
Emergence of the New Left
A Historical Sketch
The Old Left and the New Left
The Great Refusal
"The Issue Is Not the Issue"
The Free Speech Movement: Students-for-Themselves
"Actions"
Politics as Community
Prefigurative Politics
Means and Ends
Participatory Democracy
Politics as Organization
A Mass Movement
Movement versus Organization
Organizational Politics, 1964-1965
Decentralization
Economic Research and Action Project (ERAP)
December Conference and After
Internal Education
Politics Is about Power
Students as Agency
Agency as an Issue
The University: New Realities, Old Notions
Students as Agency
New Working Class Theory and Marxism
Reversals
Transition Years, 1967-1968
The Economic Research and Action Project
The Debate: Poor People or Students; Off-Campus vs. On-Campus Organizing
The Theory of Community Unions
Community Organizing: Organization as Community
Democracy
The Critique of Community Organizing
